Anniversary Weekend in Indy

HAPPY 6TH TO US... (July 24, 2004)

Anniversary Weekend BLACKBERRY ALBUM

For even numbered years, we spend our Anniversary close to home and try to save up for away-trips on the odd numbered years, thus we enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing time together this past weekend, for our 6th.
On Friday night we went out for a BBQ supper with several friends, a little QT with Aly early in the day on Saturday (actual Anniversary date), enjoyed a very romantic Steak-n-Seafood meal and quiet time away that evening, with a little shopping that night on the northside, etc. I still feel like a Princess and plan to live happily ever after with my Prince!!!
(Aly loved this chance to spend time with her Uncle Mark, Aunt Anita and Nate... a special thank you to them for being the greatest babysitters of all time! Love y'all!!!)
Well..... why don't we just let the pictures (sorry for their pitiful quality, once again we used the BLACKBERRY and borrowed a few) speak for themselves???

Easter Fun & Spring Happenings (2010)

We will not bore you with the "story" of the past weeks, since our last post, but we would like to add a slide show. This will give you a 'taste' of our Easter weekend of fun and MORE!!! (Click on the center of the slide to be taken directly to the photo album. BUT, NOT ON THE ARROW, because that will only begin the slide show.)
On a personal note, I would like to add, how happy we were to have a portion of the Louisiana family with us over the weekend! Our only regret, was that they were not ALL able to be here, but for those that were, thank you, we love you and we can't wait to see y'all again!

Summer Guests Begin to Arrive...

We have a special answer to prayer to share with you! Greg is no longer laid off, he began a new job yesterday, we praise God for this AND His many blessings over the past several months!!!

For those of you who are on Facebook with us... this post will be 'old' news to you. However, there are many of our "Yahoo" friends, who visit solely to keep up with us, thus this post!
We had a cram-packed week, for sure! We began the week by receiving our cousin Nate's first recording project, "Play Me a Tune" and we couldn't be more proud of him... The CD rocks, God has blessed him with an unbelievable talent, for which we are all thankful and the best part is that he uses these talents for his Lord and Saviour. (Keep up the incredible work, Nate, we can't wait for the next one!)
I spent MUCH of the week visiting Mamaw... I am the only grandchild who has had the 'schedule' to do so. With Greg 'laid off', I've had an automatic babysitter, one who's been very willing to allow me this opportunity and I'm so grateful! (Thank you, Baby, you're the best! You amaze me!)
Being as this past week, was the week our Summer guests were to begin arriving, we spent several days "Spring" cleaning! We didn't complete everything on our lists, but with Daddy's help, we did rather well! (Thank you, Daddy, for taking Aly to BouncerTown and allowing us to get a little extra cleaning done! Love Ya!)
Wesley arrived on Friday afternoon, we stopped in to see Mamaw S., before going out with the family that evening for Supper. On Saturday, (Cuz)Nate and (Cuz)Corey joined the 'guys' on a trip to the Indy Air Show and grilled out together for Supper. Sunday was spent at Church. Monday, Nate and Wes hit the Mall before we all headed to "CB" for Supper, with Mama, Daddy, Mark and Anita. We were thrilled to have Nate 'hang out' with us for the past several days! (Guys, you both did a fabulous job helping to keep the house picked up and we thank you! Aly had a ball having y'all here, too!)
We did not capture much on film, because we were just too busy and on top of that, the camera went 'missing' for a few days! However, there are a handful of pictures taken early in the week, of Aly playing outside while her Daddy was taking care of the lawn. Then, we added a couple of the Air Show, as well! Click Here!

Summer Guests Begin to Arrive...

(Cuz) Nate Featured at "The Bean Cup"...

We'd love to share a special event with you, which took place this past Friday evening. (Cuz) Nate performed at a local 'coffee spot', "The Bean Cup". CLICK HERE! for photos...
http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/NateAtTheBeanCup?feat=directlink
We have posted a brief video clip below for you to view. This was recorded from our digital camera and is not of the best quality, but we are so happy to have 'captured' the moment! (The sound is particularly bad with many sounds from the kitchen coming through. The picture is a bit snowy, too!) As you will also notice, Alyson truly enjoyed herself, didn't mind the crowd one bit and really just 'cut a rug'!
Nate, you did a fantastic job and we only wished we would have been able to video the entire concert (and that the quality would have been up to par)!!! We can't wait for your next 'gig'...

BELOW IS A BRIEF VIDEO CLIP:


We have spent much of this week at the Hospital with Mamaw S. with a little time here at the house... trying to get things back to what we call normal. Mamaw is doing well, although the next few months are bound to be a slow process, she has come through a very intense and tough surgery for someone her age! It's of no surprise, that she seems to have the 'grit' it will take, to make it on to the finish line of Therapy and Rehab! We are so proud of her!!! Please continue to keep her in your prayers!

Marvelous Mother's Day Moments...

What a wonderful Mother's Day Week!!! It is so much fun being a Mommy, a Daughter, Grand-Daughter and a Daughter-In-Law! Mother's Day was an exciting day for Angel-Alyson and myself... we were able to spend it with my darling Mother and my precious Grandmother S.! What a wonderful heritage I have been given and hope to hand down to Aly as time allows! We missed getting to be with my sweet, sweet Grandma J. and favorite Mother-In-Law (along with Greg's side of the family this year), though! However, we'll be with his family next week and are looking forward to it with all of our hearts! We actually spent the day, Sunday, with the entire Indiana side of the family, which made Aly very happy, being as she firmly believes that Cousin Cassie hung the moon and maybe the stars, too! One of my favorite quotes on Mother's would have to be that of Abe Lincoln, when he was spoke of his Mother. "All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my Angel Mother" and that is exactly the way I feel about my beloved Mother! Mama, I love you and I owe you more than I'll ever be able to repay you!

(Mother's Day 2009 with Alyson & Mother)

There have been several activities that have kept us busy this past week... in addition to Wesley joining the USAF and his upcoming High School Graduation next week, Whitley and her Track Team have been breaking all sorts of records lately! All Conference 4x100, 4x200, 4x4oo and the 400 Meters Individual are the most current stats we have. She is incredible on the track and we can't wait to see what will happen over the next two years! You go, girl!!! Greg's brother, Chad, recently received his Masters in International Business. Please help us pray for he and his wife, Sunny, as they go forward in their educational journeys. Also, our Cousin Nate became a College Graduate, from Ivy Tech this past Saturday. He plans to continue his education next year with yet another degree! Nate, we are so excited to see what God has in store for you... Love ya!

(Cuz Nate, Our Whitley and Our Wesley)

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/MarvelousMotherSDayMoments?feat=directlink ...Click Here! for our Marvelous Mother's Day Moments Photo Album!

(Aly and I on Mother's Day at Mamaw S.'s house)

Chestnuts Roasting... Jack Frost Nippin' At Your Nose

He's really 'Nippin' at noses tonight and with a major Ice Storm too, huh? Christmas is the ONLY time I can handle such cold weather, I'd be happy if it would wait to show up til the week of Christmas and leave again the day after! LOL Now, that would be a bit of Paradise on Earth!!!
Well, I was able to begin last week off with my first Christmas purchases on Tuesday and didn't do so well at it! So, I made plans to 'try again' on Thursday and wouldn't you know, I came down with something that morning and couldn't make it out! However, I hit the roads again, yesterday and actually bought MOST of the gifts on my list! I've ONLY 3 to go!!!
Our Church Cantata/Musical went extremely well, God was all over the place and anyone there should have felt His Spirit moving! Leading up to that evening, was a very hectic time of preparation for us all (especially my parents), but it was well worth the effort and hard work!

http://picasaweb.google.com/thepennfamily2007/PreHolidayEventsMore#
We were invited and attended Cuz Nate's 21st Birthday Party this weekend and had such a great time! Aly loves being with her cousins and it's even better when there's Cake and Ice Cream involved, too!
Happy Birthday, Nate ~ We're so very proud of you and the man you have become! You are the PERFECT example for the younger members in our family to strive to be. God has blessed you with such talent and the most wonderful of personalities! Remember, we love you with all our hearts and Aly thinks you 'hung the moon', you know!
The bad news of the week, is that while on my Monday shopping spree, Aly (staying with her Papaw) decided to get sick! Poor little munchkin must have 'caught' a flu bug over the weekend, she's been 'running' her first ever fever with it and is still under the weather tonight! Please help us pray that she'll get well before Christmas... it sure wouldn't be any fun for her (or the family) to be sick during the Holidays!
Stay safe out on these ICY slick roads, ya'll and a very Merry Week to you all!

Summer Company Abounds and It All Begins in A "Boys Dorm"...

WOW!!!


Camp is over and the Company has begun to roll in...



Wes and his friend, Devin are in for the week. Greg and Cuz Nate went to pick them up over the weekend. Nate spent last night with us, so they've been having a ball together for 3+ days now. G'Ma and G'Pa Penn will be coming in this Thursday evening, staying with us over the 4th weekend and Whitley will be coming in at the end of the month, for a week. We also plan to have part of the Louisiana clan with us for a week and that's coming up right away!!! YAY! Having company really is a BLAST!!!
Busy times for sure, but are we ever having fun... I'll add a little Photo Album of our week so far, (the first 1 1/2 to 2 days of it, anyway!) at the bottom of the BLOG for your viewing pleasure, K? Please please please remember NONE of these pix were 'posed' and also remember our house has literally turned into a BOYS DORM this week! (Aly and I actually need 'back-up'... a Boys Dorm is NO place for little angels like us! LOL)
Well, last week was a little interesting to say the least! Camp was interesting in and of itself (we won't even go there) and then, I had a bit of a scare on Wednesday spending 12 hours in the ER, on top everything else! They took several tests, I'll go to my regular Doctor tomorrow for a follow-up, but all is well at the moment... PTL for His watchful look over us all, especially in our time of need! He's a good God and we'd never make it without Him!!!
One things for sure, with all of the busy days that seem to be flying by, Summer will be over LONG before I'm ready for it to be! I trust you are all having a splendid Summer and I'd LOVE to hear from some of you... especially those that I haven't heard from lately - HINT HINT (lol)!!! XO

Boys Will Be Boys!!! An UN-POSED look into the real deal...